City restoration project bridges the gap between past and present

Over the past few months, officers from Leeds City Council have been using specialist equipment to fully repaint the bridge, working through the day and overnight to bring it back to its best.

And this week, Colin Harris, the bridge’s original designer, visited the site to get an up-close look at their work and reminisce about his role in bringing the project to life.

Mr Harris, a University of Leeds civil engineering graduate, had worked on projects around the world before returning to Leeds in 1989 to lead a new office for Arup in what was the Design Innovation Centre, close to the site of what would be Centenary Bridge.

Tasked with developing proposals for the bridge he worked on the concept sketches of the eye-catching new cable stayed design at his dining table using a drawing pin and a piece of string.

Mr Harris said: “It was a seminal project for us and for the city at that time. I’d worked on major projects before, but the opportunity to come back to Leeds and work on a bridge like this was just magical and something I’m still so proud of to this day.

“The challenge of using one huge crane to support the bridge’s frame while using a second to thread the deck through and manoeuvre the whole structure onto the bearings was particularly memorable and we only achieved it thanks to the expertise of everyone involved.”

Originally commissioned to mark 100 years since Leeds was granted incorporated city status in 1893, Centenary Bridge was completed at a cost of around £600,000.

Approximately 18 metres tall and 43 metres long, today the bridge is a key pedestrian link to Brewery Wharf and onwards to Aire Park, with the area around it being home to bars, offices and the base of Channel 4 News.

Mr Harris added: “There was huge pride from the whole team in the finished bridge and as a Leeds graduate, it was wonderful for me to have had the chance to design something which has helped transform part of Leeds.

“The area around it has changed a lot in the intervening years but the bridge has stood the test of time and seeing it in the background on the news every night always brings back good memories.”

Work to repaint the bridge has been carried out by Leeds City Council and has seen officers using a high-tech elevated platform to reach the highest points.

The project has been completed during Leeds 400, a city-wide celebration commemorating four centuries since the very first Leeds City Charter was bestowed on the city by King Charles I in 1626.

Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, said: “Leeds is a city full of fascinating landmarks, both modern and historic, and each one has its own unique story to explore.

“It’s wonderful that during this very special year, we’ve been able to bring Centenary Bridge back to its best and that the project has given us the opportunity to rediscover the story behind a bridge which played an early role in sparking the regeneration of the South Bank.”

Since Centenary Bridge was built, a stunning bridge honouring the legacy of David Oluwale also opened in 2023.

That bridge was hailed as a symbolic link between the city’s past, present and future and spans the River Aire between Sovereign Street and Water Lane.

More information about Leeds 400 and the events programme can also be found at: Welcome to Leeds 400 – A Year of Celebration | Culture Programmes

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